“James had an incredible rookie season with us in 2017 and we’re thrilled we were able to reach a deal with him to extend,” said Argos GM Jim Popp said in a statement. “We look forward to how James will continue to build on his game in his second year in Canada.”

Wilder was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie last season after rushing for 872 yards and five touchdowns on 122 carries, posting a CFL-high 7.1 yards per attempt.

The six-foot-two, 232-pound native of Tampa, Fla., also caught 51 passes for 533 yards and a team-high 467 yards after the catch.

Wilder rushed for 52 yards and added 58 yards on eight receptions in Toronto’s 25-12 win over Saskatchewan in the Eastern final, including a crucial third-down catch to move the chains on the team’s game-winning touchdown drive. The rookie back added 13 yards and a touchdown in Toronto’s 27-24 win over the Calgary Stampeders in the 105th Grey Cup.

I think what probably happened was that Wilder examined a little more closely his NFL options and saw that the offers were for him to be a camp body with no signing bonus. Remember, he has played in the NFL before, they know what he’s about and they have film on him. It’s not like the NFL all of a sudden woke up and said, “Oh, wait a second, he CAN run.”

What 2017 proved is that Wilder is a running back who is ideally suited for the CFL, and the NFL recognizes that.

Billy you obviously no little about contracts and law. He couldnt leave and or talk to any interested party. He is and was under contract intil 2019. NFL teams cannot approach a player under contract with out teams permission its called tampering. Just because the NFL has billions more than the CFL does doesnt mean they can circumvent the law.

Exactly. Blow it out the other end Wilder. Predict he’ll have a mediocre second year as well. Players who make a lot of noise during the off season rarely reach the expectation level after they stuff their cash box.

First off, no it doesn’t. Second, he *had* to play in the CFL this year or just simply walk away from football. The NFL honors CFL contracts.

Wilder said it was about getting another chance to play in the NFL. Well then why did he just put that off another year? Because he knows he’ll never play in the NFL. Well played, James. You just put one over on Jim Popp. Of course Popp put one over on himself by hiring one of the worst assistants in the game as his head coach.

Let’s hope the contract thing is behind him. In addition to his on-field talent, he captured a lot of fans with his refreshing attitude last year. If he can restore that kind of charismatic appeal, he could find himself with additional monetary possibilities.

Rick, Chris Jones has admitted he was close to the CAP. Do you think he dumped Muamba because Hurl is an adequate replacement? Messam, Bond, Evans, Hughes, Harty, Collaros, Bridge got a raise, LaBatte got a 3 year deal, Carter got a raise & so on. He’s having money issues with Campbell. The Bombers have CAP issues too. But it’s obvious the Riders are up against it. You might be looking at 3 young (cheap) LB’s. That’s the price you pay.

Williams was very good in one game but extremely small sample. Finch, like Rainey & Logan, is primarily a returner & thrown in to give the defence a different look once in a while. I’d have to say their running game is up in tne air right now.

Entitlement? 56k/yr while guys like some
Canadians make double and aren’t half the player ??? He’s a rb , his life is short . The team screws over players all the time and force them to take cuts what is the diff? He has leverage and used it good on him

They have plenty of bellyachers in the NFL too… this isn’t the first time and it won’t be the last. All in all, a great signing for Toronto… he could be a star in the league. Someone said he runs too straight and he isn’t that fast, and wasn’t a factor in the Grey Cup. But I hope he kills it in 2018! Butler… in the ‘where are we now’ file.

Argos blinked first. If Wilder can produce this season consistently, he’ll be a bargain. but he was mediocre against some teams, like the Cats. Where was this NFL interest when he signed a two year, entry-level CFL contract? Like I said, Argos blinked first. Hopefully Wilder’s as good at runnin’ as he is at bluffin’!

That would be me. Still have Henderson’s pic of “the goal” (sorry Crosby, not even close). Still have his autographed jersey. But best of all, still have that image of him scoring “the goal” entrenched in my mind. Oh, and you suck Tretiak…you should be out of the HHF…Paul in.